Atlas Of Egyptian Mummies In The Czech Collections Ii Non Adult Human Mummies

Ancient Egyptian mummies and their funerary equipment are an invaluable source of information not only on the Egyptians’ perception of death, but more importantly on their lives – diseases and traumas they suffered from, activities they carried out, their family relations, and more.The present volume, second in the series of Atlas of Egyptian Mummies in the Czech Collections, is dedicated to mummies and funerary containers of non-adults aged 15 and younger. Two complete mummies, twelve isolated parts from ten individuals, and six funerary containers were introduced in a detailed catalogue, along with their respective provenances, and brief excursions into the health and disease of ancient Egyptian children, and their funerarytreatment.The studied material came from the collections of two divisions of the National Museum in Prague, namely the Náprstek Museum of Asian, African and American Cultures, and the Natural History Museum. The mummies were examined using non-invasive methods, and the results were compared to those published in the past.The containers, two boxes, two hampers, and two jars represent only a small part of typological repertoire of containers used for the deposition of burials of non-adult individuals.While the non-adult mummies and their isolated parts are without provenience, all of the six containers come from modern excavations at well-documented cemeteries at Deir el-Medina and Abusir. Examination by non-invasive methods, especially computed tomography, brought to light several findings including one possible case of traumatic death, and one possible case of rickets. Information on the use of mummification substances and techniques – including the reinforcement of spine – were also reported.

In 1999 a full-scale research project was launched by the Radiological Department of the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam and the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden to scan a series of human and animal mummies from the museum's collection. Between 1999 and 2003, 29 human mummies, 8 dissected heads and various animal mummies were scanned and this volume presents the results of these investigations. The book begins by looking at the history of the collection and acquisitions, at early investigations carried out on the mummies from the early 19th century onwards, through to the radiological studies of the last fifty years. A general survey of mummification techniques, and archaeological and scientific research into them, is also given. The main part of the book comprises the results of the radiological scans which are discussed in terms of physical anthropology, anatomical embalming details, degree of preservation, anomalies and palaeopathology, wrappings and artefacts. This is followed by a catalogue of both the human and animal mummies (cats, lambs, birds, reptiles and fish) that were part of the project including details on acquisition, provenance, date, dimensions, description of the exterior, radiological description and comments. This is volume one of a new series of monographs dedicated to the archaeological finds in the Leiden Museum of Antiquities. Future volumes include studies of demotic contracts on papyrus, and discussion of the museum's excavations at Saqqara and Tell Sabi Abyad.

Owing to their unique state of preservation, mummies provide us with significant historical and scientific knowledge of humankind’s past. This handbook, written by prominent international experts in mummy studies, offers readers a comprehensive guide to new understandings of the field’s most recent trends and developments. It provides invaluable information on the health states and pathologies of historic populations and civilizations, as well as their socio-cultural and religious characteristics. Addressing the developments in mummy studies that have taken place over the past two decades – which have been neglected for as long a time – the authors excavate the ground-breaking research that has transformed scientific and cultural knowledge of our ancient predecessors. The handbook investigates the many new biotechnological tools that are routinely applied in mummy studies, ranging from morphological inspection and endoscopy to minimally invasive radiological techniques that are used to assess states of preservation. It also looks at the paleoparasitological and pathological approaches that have been employed to reconstruct the lifestyles and pathologic conditions of ancient populations, and considers the techniques that have been applied to enhance biomedical knowledge, such as craniofacial reconstruction, chemical analysis, stable isotope analysis and ancient DNA analysis. This interdisciplinary handbook will appeal to academics in historical, anthropological, archaeological and biological sciences, and will serve as an indispensable companion to researchers and students interested in worldwide mummy studies.

An encyclopedia designed especially to meet the needs of elementary, junior high, and senior high school students.

Uses primary evidence to ask anthropological questions about kinship and families in ancient Egyptian society.